Cylinder lock



Jan. 1, 1952 Q BLOHM 2,580,882

CYLINDER LOCK Filed July 10, 1950 Patented Jan. 1, 1852 CYLINDER LocK Oscar A. Blohm, Des Plaines, Ill., assignor to Chicago Lock Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application July'10; 1950, Serial No. 172,912

. 1 'I' hepresent invention relates generallyto key operable locks. More particularly the invention relates to that type of lock which, as its principal" parts or components comprises: (1) an elongated barrel which is adapted'to be mounted fixedly in place and has a longitudinal bore therein and in addition four longitudinally extending equidistantly spaced tumbler receiving grooves in communication with the bore; (2) "a cylindrical plug 7 which is mounted rotatably in the'bore of'the barrel, embodies a longitudinal key slot, has a longitudinal series of transverselvextending s idably mounted spring pressed plate tumblers, and is adapted wh n a proper key is inserted into the key slot to have the tumblers retracted against the force of their springs in order to free'the plug so that it is rotatable back and forth between loc ed and unlocked positions; and 3) a lock element which i operatively connected 'to the rear end of the plug in such mannerthatit is shifted into an operative position when'theplug is turned into its locked position and is shifted into an inoperative position when the plug is turned into its unlocked position.

It is now common practice in connection with time payment sale of an article such, for example, as a television receiver or a domestic refrigerator, to furnish an article with a coin chute and a removable coin box in order that the purchaser of the article may periodically drop coins of a given denomination into the box in order to meet the different installments on the purchase price when they fall due. It has heretofore been proposed to have an agent for the seller of the article go where the article is located andremove the coins from the box in order to satisfy the par-' ticular installment that is due. In most instances the purchaser of the article will object to the agent entering his or her home or other establishment for obvious reasons. -With the view of coping with this situation it has now been proposed tohave the coin box provided with a lock which will permit the purchaser of the article; by userof a particular key, toremove the box from thearticle without gaining access to the coins within the box so'that'he or she maytake the box to a depository of the seller of the article, and. which will also permit the box, when-at the depository, to be opened by adifferent key for removal of the collected coins therein.

-"It.. is ..'therefore one object of. this invention to; provide novel lock which is adapted -'prlma'rlly for use connection with the coinbox ofan articleltlrat is sold-on atimepay ment basis and is rso designed land constructedthat when a par- 4 Claims. (Cl. 70=340l ticular keyis'ins rted'into' the key slotby the purchaser of the article theplug may be turned from its locked position through such 'a predetermined arc that the lock-element r leases the box for removal from the article WithOlltfhOWGVGl, unlocking the box and permitting access to thecoins therein, andwhen a different key is inserted into the ey slot by the depository'agent the plug may be turned throughoutsuch an additional are that the lock-element unlocks the boxin order to provide access to the coins init. It is contemplat d that in connection with use of the lock the depository agent, after removal of the" coins from the box with which the lock is associated, will, by the different key,return the plug to the position in whichit wa Originally turned by the purchaser order that the purchaser,

by the use of the particular key, may return the box to its normal position and lock it to the key serves as the particular key for use by the purchaser of the article with which the lock is associated and is adapted when inserted into the key slot in the plug to retract only the frontmost tumblers in order to permit the plug to be turned throughout a'-90'arc with respect to the'barrel and a long key servesas the different key for use by the agent'of the sellers depository and is adapted when inserted into the key slot in the plug to retract all of the tumblers in order that the plug may be turned throughout a 180 arc with respect to the barrel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lock of the type and character last mentioned in which the portion of the barrel between the rear end of the notch which receives and interlocks with the tumblers when the plug is in'its locked position and the rear end of the next groove that is in the direction of turning'of the plug fromitslocked position is cut away or re moved in order that when the short key is used to turn the plug throughout a arc from'its'" locked position therearmost tumblers which are.

not r'etractedby the short key are permitted to swing-freelybetween the rear ends of the aforesaid grooves while at the same time they serve, after 90-turning of the plug from its'locked position by' the short key,- to prevent further turningexcept'when retracted by use of the long- A still further object of the invention is to pro? vide alockwhich is generallyof new and lair-'- more particularly defined by claims at the con clusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification or disclosure andfin which like numerals of reference-denote corre-" spending parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a front elevationofa lock embodying the invention; 7

Figure 2 is a side view illustrating thez manner in which the lock-element is operatively connected. to: the rear'end of "the rotatable plug; in.

orderto turnitherewith; V

Figure 3 is. a vertical transversersection takerr on. the line 3-3 of Figure 2. andshowing in detail thepin and: stop arrangement whereby; rotation or turning of the plug relatively to thebarrel i-Slimitedto an arcof 180;

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of the: lock showing the short key inserted into the key slot in the plug and" illustrating the manner in which the'bitte'd portiorrof the keyserves toretract' the .frontmost tumblers without, however,. retracting the 'rearmosttumblers; v

Figure dis a vertical transverse se'ctiorronthe line 5- -5 of Fieure'4; 'F 1 Figure 6 is a. vertical. transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure land showing by dottedlines the position of the plugv after it has been rotated by the short. key 90 from: its lockedposition and also illustrating the manner in which the rearmost tumblers which are not retracted by the bitted portion. of the-shortkey function to prevent turning of the plug more-than 90 from its locked position by the short key;

Figure 7 is a. vertical longitudinal section. of the-lock showingthe long key inserted into the key slot in the plug. so as to retract all of the tumblers and thus free the plug so that it is capable of being turned from its. locked position throughout an arc cat-180?; I

Figure 8 is a'vertical transverse sectiononline8--8 oi Figui-e'l; and

Figure. 9-is a vertical transverse section similarto- Figure 8 except that it shows the. plug afterit has been turned or rotated from its. locked position 180 by the long key and thelong keyhas been. removed from the. key slotv inthe plug.

The. lock. which is shown in the drawingconstitutes the preferred form or embodiment. of the invention. It has many capabilities of use,v although. it is primarily designed for use in; connection with a coinbox (notshown) of the. type that is employed in connection. with a coin chute on an article that is sold on a time payment basis. Asits principal parts the lock comprises-abarrel H], a rotatableplug it, a short key l2', a long key l3 and. a lock-element M. It iscontemplated. that the purchaser of the article with. the coin box to which the lock is applied will possess the the .short key which will enable him or her to turn the plug from, an unlocked position through a 90 arc in order to release the coinbox when it is desired to take the latter to the depository for the seller of the. article. It is alsoeontemplated that the. depositorys agent or representative will.

possess the long key [3 in order that he or she may turn the plug of the lock 180 from its locked position in order to unlock the box in connection with removal of deposited or collected coins therefrom.

The barrel I0 is adapted to extend through a hole in one of the walls of the coin box and embodies-at its iron-t2. end arr integral; outwardly extending annular flange t5. "A clamp nut l6 coacts with the outwardly extending annular flange 5 to clamp the barrel in place. As shown in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawing, the nut I6 is mounted on an external screw thread I! which is formed on the central portion of the outer peiii) riphery of the. barrel and extends rearwards from the outwardly? extending flange I5. The barrel [0. is. provided with a counter-bore l8 and a bore [8. The counter-bore I8 is formed in the front endofthe barrel and, as shown in Figures 4 and 7, is comparatively shallow. The bore i9 is coaxially' positioned. with respect to the counter-bore l.8...and. leads rearwardsfrom the latter to and.

through. the; rear" end of. the barrel. Within the. barrel are four longitudinally extending tumblerreceivinggrooves 2B,, 2L 22 and 2 3. These four grooves communicate with, and extend through.- out thelength of, the-bore 19;. The groovelll is located inthe upper. portion of the barrel and receives the upper endsof. the hereinafter described tumblers When. theplug ll of the. lock is. in its locked position. The groove 2! is located in the-lowerportion of the barrel. It is disposed diametrically opposite the groove 20 and, as shown in Figure 9, receives the tumblers after the plug has been rotated- 180? by the longkey l3 and such key .istherea-fter removed. ThegrooveZl also permits sliding of the tumblers in connection with insertion of.- either the short or long key when the plug is. in its locked position as shown in Figures 4 to 8, inclusive. The groove tumblers when the pluglis turned by the short key 12 from its locked position and such key is thereafter removed. The groove 23 is located in. the left hand side of the barrel. It is positioned, diametrically oppositethe groove 22 and permits sliding of the. tumblers in connection with removal or insertion of either key whenthe plug has beenturned in a counterclockwise direction 9.0- from its locked position. The rear end of the barrel. is cutaway or relieved to form an, arcuate groove. 24 which extends between-and serves to connect the rear ends of the grooves 20 and 22- (see particularly Figures 5, 6, 8 and 9). The

' purpose ofthegroove 24 will appear hereafter.

Asshown in the drawing, such groove is the same in. depthas the grooves 28 and 22-. The rear end of the barrel I0 is providedwitha rearwardly extending integral arcuate flange 25. The latter extends throughout an arc of slightly less. than 180. and. defines. at. its ends stop surfaces. 26 which coactwith a pin 21. on the lock-element 14 to limit back and forth turning of the plug to an.

arc of r The. plug ll of the lock is cylindrical and fits rotatably within the bore l9 in the barrel. It embodies at its front end an integral outwardly extending annular flange 28 which fits within- 5. front end surface or the plug and is adapted slidably to receive the bitted parts of the keys I 2 and I3, as' shown in Figures 4 and 7. Within the central portion of the plug H is a longitudinal series of equidistantly spaced transversely extending recesses 30. The latter extend completely through the plug and intersect the key slot 29. Plate type key operable tumblers 3| are slidably mounted in the recesses .30. They are provided with central openings 32 for slidably receiving the bitted parts of the keys l2 and I3 and have associated therewith coil or helical compression springs 33 for urging them outwards into interlocking relation with the groove 20, the groove 22 or the groove 2|, depending upon the angular position of the plug with respect to the barrel. .The centraLopen: ings 32 are so shaped or designed that when the bitted part of the long key [3 is inserted therethrough the tumblers are retracted into the recesses against the force of thesprings 33, thus releasing'the plug-so that it is capable of being turned relatively to the barrel. When thekey is removedafter the plug is-positioned so that the tumblers thereof are in aligmnent with any of the three last mentioned grooves the springs 33 ejectthe tumblers so that certain ends thereof are disposedin the adjacent groove thus locking the plug. against rotation or turning with respect to the barrel. The springs 33 are disposed in sockets 34 at. the sidesof the recesses 33 and bear against integral laterally extending lugs 35 on the tumblers. It is contemplated that when the tumblers are in interlocked relation with the groove the plug will be in its locked position. The flange and the pin 26 are so arranged that they permit the plug to be rotated from its locked position 180 in a clockwise direction as viewed from the front. Although five tumblers are shown in the plug it is understood that more or lessmay be employed, if desired. As shown in the drawing the arcuate groove 24 which-extends between; and serves to connect, the rear ends of the-barrel grooves 20 and 22, is aligned with the. two rearmost tumblers and permits such. tumblers, even though not retracted, to'swing from the groove 20 into the groove 22 inconnection with a quarter or 90 turn of the plug from its locked position.

The short key l2 the form of a one-piece stamping and consists of a handle part 36 and a single bitted part 31. The bitted part3! is adapted to enter the key slot 29in the rotatable plug l l and is so. shaped and of such (length that-when it is inserted to its fullest extent into the keyslot it operates toretract the three frontmost tumblers only. When the bitted part 31 of the short key i2. is inserted into the key slot the plug {H may be turned from its locked position 90 in a clockwise direction. vIn connection with clockwise turning of the plug by :the short, key the ,two rearmos't tumblerswhichfare not retracted by thebitted part of the key swing from the rear end of the groove 20 through the arcuate groove 24 into the groove 22. Turning of the plug by the shortkey is limited --to 90 as the result of the two rearmost tumblers striking against the portion of the barrel 10 that defines-the rear end of the groove 22; as-shown by dotted lines in Figure 6 of the drawing. After the'plug ll has'been turned 90 from its locked position by the short key such key may be removed from the key slot 29. If thelockis employed in'connectionwith a coin box as heretofore indicated it is'contemplated that-the purchaser of the: article with which the'coin box is associated will possess the short key l2 only.

It is also contemplated that when the plug is:

turned 90 from its locked position by the short key the box will be released without, however,

permitting the possessor of the short key ob -v taining access to the'coins in the box. Upon 29 in'th'e'plug and is of such length and so shaped that when it'isinserted into the key slot it operatesto retract allfive tumblers, as shown in Figure "T. :When" all'five' tumblers areretractedasitheitresult'z'of:icomplete insertion of the bitted partof'the long keyrl3 int'oithe key slot the plug;

H? maybeturned :in" a clockwise direction throughouta' 180"arc. from-its locked position; After turning'o'f-the' plug'throughout such an arc bythe longkey l3therkey may be-removed. Upon removal of the 'bitted 'part'of-the key from the keysloti theisprin s 33"ej ect the tumbl rs 'into templated that 180 turning of the plug from .its unlocked-positionwill unlock the coin box withwhich' the lockis associated in order that thedeposito'rys agent who possesses the key mayhave 'acces'sto the box interior for purposes of; removing the *accumulate'dior collected coins P therein. It-- is further contemplated that after removal of'thecoinsthe 'agent by use of the long: key 13 will eitherreturn the plug to itslocked "position :or' to its 'quarter turn position in order th'at' the' possessor. of the short key may return the coin 'box 'to its normal position 111* lockxit in place by use of the the article and" shortkey. v

The lock-element l4 is in the form of an arm and has in' one end thereof an opening 40 through which'extends the rear end of the plug. III Such end of the plug has an external screw thread 4| and embodies shoulder portions 42. A nut 43 on the rear extremity of the plug serves to clamp the lock-element l4 against the afore- It is contemplated that mentioned shoulder. when the plug isin'its locked position the lockelement" M will lockthe coin box in place withv respect to the article with'which the box is associated. It is also contemplated that when the plug is rotated a quarter turn or from its locked position by the small key i2 the lock-'- element will release the box for removal from the article and when the plug is turned or rotated by the long'keyl3 the lock-element It will unlock the box. "As shown'in Figures 2' and 3 or the drawing the pin 2'! which serveswith the rearwardly extending arcuate'flange 25 to lirnit rotation or turning of the plug with respect'to the barrel, is connected to, and projects forwards from,'the central portion of the lock-element I4.

The herein described lock is essentially simple in design or constructionand is capable of being produced at a comparatively low cost. V Whereas the lockjhas been described in connection'wlth a coin box-it isunderstood that it has other capabilities of 'useand may be-employed infianyinstarice where it is desired that:

is to be retained and utilized by the agent of the depository. The bitted part 39 of the long key is.--adapted.=toabe inserted into the key slotaseaesa:

partial turningsoi the plug may beaccomplished by an individual possessing'only the short keyandv full turning of the plug. may be accomplished byian individual possessing the. long. key. It'is also .to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details setv forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims. without. departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 'isz' I; As a new article of manufacture, a lock comprising a barrel provided with means for securing it in place and having formed therein a. longitudinal cylindrical bore and two. spaced apart tumbler-receiving grooves facing onto, and extending lengthwise of, the bore, a cylindrical plug: mounted rotatably in the bore, provided with alongitudinal slot for receiving the bitted partsof two differently shaped keys and having recess forming means in intersecting relation with the key slot, and' a series of transversely extending operable tumblers mounted slidably in the recess forming means, provided with spring means for urging them outwards into interlocked relation with either of the grooves depending upon the position of the plug with respect to the barrel, and having formed. therein key recei-ving openings of such character that when thebitted part of one of the keys is inserted into the key slot some ofthe tumblers are retracted and others arenot and when the bitted part of the other key is insertedinto the key slot all of the tumblers are retracted and the plug is released 1 for free turning relatively to the barrel, said barrel being provided with arcuate groove means between the two tumbler-receiving grooves whereby when the bitted part of the one key is inserted into the key slot the non-retracted tumblers are permitted in connection with turning of the key to swing'from-one groove into the other groove while at the same time they serve to limit turning of the plug with respect to the barrel.

' 2. As a new article of manufacture, a lock comprising a barrelprovided'with means for securing it. in place and having formed therein a longitudinal cylindrical bore and two spaced apart; tumbler-receiving grooves facing onto, and extending lengthwise of, the bore, a cylindrical plug mounted rotatably in the bore, provided with a longitudinal slot for receiving the, bitted parts of CWO differently shaped keys and having formed therein a series of spaced apart transversely extending recesses in intersecting relation; with the key slot, and key operable platetumblers mounted slidably in the recesses respectively, provided with spring means for urging them outwards. into interlocked relation with either of the grooves depending upon the position of the plug with respect; to the barrel, and haying formed therein key receiving openings of such character that when the bitted part of one ofthe keys is inserted: into the key slot some of the tumblers are retracted and others are not and when the bitted part of the other keyis inserted into the key slot all of the; tumblers are retracted and the plug is released for free turning relatively to the barrel, said barrel being provided with an arcuate groove between the two tumbler-receiving grooves whereby when the bitted part of the one key is inserted into the key slot in the plug the non-retracted tumblers are permitted in connection with turning of the key torswingsfrom one tumbler-receiving groove apart tumbler-receiving grooves facing onto, and

extending lengthwise of, the bore, a cylindrical plug mounted rotatably in the bore, provided with a longitudinal slot for receiving the bitted parts of a short key and of a long key and having formed therein a series of spaced apart transversely extending recesses in intersecting relation with the key slot, and key operable plate tumblers mounted slidably in the recesses respectively provided with spring means for urge ing them outwards into interlocked relation with either of the grooves. depending upon the. posi'-.

tion. of the plug with respect to. the barrel, and having formed therein key receiving openings of such character that when the'bitted part of the.

short lre Y is inserted into the key slot the fore-- most tumblers are retracted and the rearmost tumblers are not and when the bitted part of the long key is inserted into the key slot all of the tumblers are retracted and the plug is released for free turning relatively to the barrel, said barrel being provided with an arcuate groove between the rear ends of the two tumbler-receiving grooves whereby when the bitted part of the short key is inserted into the key slot in the plug said rearmost tumblers are permitted in connection with turning of the key to swing from one tumbler-receiving groove into the other tumbler-receiving groove while at the same time they limit turning of the'plug with respect to the barrel. I

4. As a new article of 'manufacture, a lock comprising a barrel provided with means for securing it in place and having formed therein a longitudinal bore, a first tumbler-receiving groove facing onto, and extending lengthwise of, the bore, a second tumbler-receiving groove facing onto, and extending lengthwise of the bore and disposed diametrically opposite the first groove, and a third tumbler receiving groove facing onto, and extending lengthwisev of, the bore and disposed midway between the first and second grooves, a cylindrical plug mounted. rotatably in the bore, provided with a longitudinal slot for receiving the bitted parts of a short key and a long key, and having formed therein a series of spaced apart transversely extending recesses in intersecting relation with the key slot, and key operable plate tumblers-mounted slidably in the recesses, provided with spring means for urging them outwards into interlocked relation with any of thethree grooves depending upon the position of the plug with respect to the barrel, and having formed therein key receiving openings of. such character that when the bitted part of the short key is inserted into the key slot the foremost tumblers are retracted and the rearmost tumblers are not and when the bitted part of the long key is inserted into the key slot all of the tumblers are retracted and the plug is released so that it is free to be turned throughout. a arc from a position. wherein the groove engaging portions of the tumblers are aligned with the first groove to a position wherein, said groove engaging portions of the tum- 9 10 blers are in alignment with the second groove, REFERENCES ulTED said barrel ,being provided with an arcuate groove between the rear ends of the first and i zg fs ale of record m the third grooves wherein when the bitted part of either key is inserted into the key slot the non- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS retracted rearmost tumblers are permitted in b r Na Dat connection with turning of the key to swing from 1,456,584 Bell May 29, 1923 the first groove into the third groove while at 1,735, 34 a n D 16, 1930 the same time limiting turning of the plug to 21 1,788,834 Hurd Jan. '13, 1931 90" are with respect to the barrel. 10 2,182,307 Behnke Dec. 5, 1939 OSCAR A. BLOHM. 

